Invision: app visualization

My co-worker Lauren and I participated in an internal work competition earlier this summer where we pitched a mobile application. My intern buddy told us about a tool called Invision that he used in an app development competition, and it changed our whole presentation for the better.

Invision lets you upload images or screenshots (think: Powerpoint slides) and add clickability function to allow for an interactive demonstration. You can use it on a computer or mobile device, so when you walk through an idea the audience can understand how it would work live. A significant amount of the features are free, and a one-month and one-year subscriptions are reasonably priced if you plan on using it for more than one project.

Additionally, it lets you send the link to the web app to anyone via email or text, so the app mockup actually downloads to your phone. If you need to visualize your idea or make something interactive, check this out.

Empty inbox

An empty inbox is one of the greatest feelings ever #accomplishments

Outlook inbox view, even it puts a smiley face

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Commuting- a time to disconnect?

Everyone commutes. Whether it's to and from work, while traveling or throughout the neighborhood they live in - people commute through car, train, bus and other options all week long. 

Look on any bus or train these days and more than half of individuals are drowning in their smartphones. Hearing "I was lost in the world of Instagram and missed my stop" is normal to hear from people my age. Just on the platform the other day, every single person waiting was on their phone.   

The L platform for the Red Line

On my daily commute to work, I often struggle with whether commuting is a time to enjoy some quiet time to yourself (the L is pretty silent in the morning) or connect with your devices- whether you're reading, on social media or email.

The desire to connect can sometimes dictate a commute. Similar to the New York subway, the red line of the Chicago L is underground, so cell service is minimal. This is different than the brown line, which although slower, is above ground, or the bus which follows the lakefront.

I've found myself guilty of doubling my commute time to take an alternate transit option when I need to make phone calls or be part of a group texting conversation. The amount of times I did this made me stop and think, is it worth it? How bad is it really to DISconnect? 

The next morning, I timed how long you are out of phone service on the red line. There is a whopping total of 10 minutes underground from the work subway stop to the above-ground stop I live at. 

That small number, 10, is in my head every time I'm making a transit decision. Is someone going to die if I wait 10 minutes to send a response to a text? Will this friend freak out if I call them back when I get off the L? Will I survive without checking Facebook, Instagram, Timehop and Twitter on the way to work? Will 10 minutes of silence kill you? The answers: no. A commute, if anything, IS the time of the day to disconnect from devices and ponder to yourself. 

On Uber, Lyft and rideshare services

"If you would have told people a year ago that they would get into people's personal cars instead of cabs, they would have been like, 'No.' But oh, there's an app for that? It's not creepy anymore."
-Hannah, on UberX

Inspiration from Hillary Clinton

"I think that relationships are at the core of any political system and economic system - any family - and I think we drifted away from understanding that in our country. The people-to-people level is critical. It is ironic, though - we can text with anybody in the world, we can have a videoconference with anybody in the world, but [there should be] an even higher premium on showing up and getting to know someone. Looking them in the eye, listening to them, trying to understand where they're coming from."

-Hillary Rodham Clinton, Glamour, September 2014

Chicago Air & Water Show

Last weekend was Chicago's 56th Annual Air & Water Show at North Avenue Beach. I hadn't been to this since middle school - and even then we watched from inside a condo - so I was excited to check this out.

It was the only night of the year besides the 4th of July Fireworks where the entire city comes out on the lakefront. Arriving shortly after the 10 a.m. start time, the lakefront was already packed. Speakers on the side of the path stream live emceeing from men inside the planes, who introduce what's going to happen in the air before you watch it. The announcers and planes were phenomenal, the weather was beautiful and all of it was entirely free. It felt like the city of Chicago was in the Hunger Games and that at any point of time, someone on the speakers could ask for a tribute.

If you missed it this year, I highly recommend it for the future. Check out some photos!

The crowd at the Fullerton Beach area

Planes over Lake Michigan

Two sets of planes, including the Blue Angels which returned

Two planes making a heart in the sky with a plane flying through as an arrow

iPhone storage tips

Have you ever tried taking a picture on your phone and received the pop-up, "There is not enough storage to take a photo."?

Are you at the point where you get reminders from your iPhone that you can see how to "Manage Storage" in your Settings?

Here are two quick tricks for you!

1. We think our storage is coming from photos & music, but that neglects all the picture messages (and sometimes even videos) sent in texts. I learned this the hard way, when I saw one day that "Messages" was taking up 4 MB of space and my 900 photos took up less space than that.
   
   SOLUTION: Within Messages, type "Video" and delete any videos in your texts. Then, delete the pictures you've sent to others, especially if they're saved elsewhere on your phone as they're taking up double the space!
2. Panoramic photos use up nearly 4-5 times the amount of storage space as one regular picture (I had some that were 15-16 MB, when usual photos are 2 MB!).
   
   SOLUTION: Delete all your panoramics to clear up infinitely more photo storage space. 

Good luck! 

Exploring the West Loop

For Irina's birthday last weekend, we did our own taste of Randolph and tried a myriad of restaurants and bars on our way to dining at Au Cheval, a popular burger restaurant. A restaurant that doesn't take reservations, the wait was 2 1/2 hours - so it gave us plenty of time to explore the West Loop while catching up with some hilarious friends!

We started with a beer at Pork Chop, and then the bartender recommended we go to Packing House. We got the dinner text from Au Cheval sooner than later, and tried a local brewery called Haymarket to end the night. What an evening!

Irina and I on the rooftop at Packing House

The infamous Au Cheval cheeseburger with bacon & an egg

Mason jars lining the bar at Pork Chop

Screensharing tool works wonders

When I started work, one of the department heads often scheduled meetings with a link to a site called Join.me. Without having to worry about the technological woes of call-ins, WebX's and video conference calls, Join.me is a screensharing tool that simply lets you share what's on your screen (the entire thing or just one window) with up to 10 users for free.

It was incredibly useful while working with a remote manager, and continues to be useful today. Whether I am helping a sister with a resume from 1,000 miles away, instant messaging someone within my own building about a presentation or on a conference call, Join.me saves a lot of explanation time by showing someone what you are discussing. Try it out!

A weekend in Lake Geneva

At the beginning of August, we went to Lake Geneva for Lexi's bachelorette party. Her family has a lake house up there, right downtown, so it was a peaceful weekend on a pontoon and outside of the city. I hadn't seen the lake since Fanari back in high school, so it was nice to see what a large, beautiful lake is just miles north of Chicago!

The group 

Some of the Mizzou girls

Lexi with a champagne sparkler toast at Carvetti's 

Generation Like

Check out this Frontline documentary titled Generation Like.

It's definitely geared toward people who work in marketing and market research, particularly with brands focused on acquiring young adults and children. Despite the media jargon, it still teaches you a lot about our generation and motivations online. Enjoy!

A poor example of humanizing the Internet

Sometimes, brands think they're being innovative by adding live chat features to their website. I was naive enough to give in and try one out on Citibank.com after some confusion while paying a bill. 

Below is my "conversation" with Alec. I rate it a 2 out of 10 (some brownie points for minor innovation), particularly because of feeling condescended by the last message. Oh well, it was worth a shot!

A Trip to Carnivale

The past few years, I've always driven past Carnivale off the 94 and wanted to eat there. It looks like a janky restaurant off the highway, but one of those places you have to try to say you've done it. The large two-story building is painted with rainbow colors on the outside, and I had no idea what the inside looked like. So naturally, Hannah, Eleni and I tried it on a weekday afternoon to check it out while we were on the west side.

The inside of Carnivale

Baked goat cheese, Ropa Vieja steak and Crab Cakes for apps

Carnivale ice cream cake and Berry Brazo Gitano desserts

It exceeded any and ALL expectations! We only did appetizers, drinks (ok, tequila) and dessert - but the food was all phenomenal. Highly recommended Chicago restaurant destination! 

Acquisitions

Amidst all the acquisitions in today's business world, it's good to see a reputable company like Procter & Gamble deciding to cut them when it seems smart. Good for P&G! 

Summer in the Chi

While June was full of festivals, July flew by with weddings, rooftops and fun times with friends. 

Here are just a few of the highlights!  

Hanging on adorable patios is a favorite Chicago pastime, and Kalyn, Stacey and I tried Las Fuentes in Lincoln Park for Kalyn's arrival home from Mexico.

Garfield Park Conservatory

Greek craziness at St. Haralambos for their annual Greekfest

Taking a summer afternoon off of work to go to Navy Pier with Lena + the Stornellos, and ride the Seadog

Greek Heritage Night at the White Sox game 

Chicago Architectural Boat Tour

Team bar crawl down Southport Corridor

Two Cubs games in three days with friends' tickets

Greek Young Adult Boat Cruise - successful event! 

July quotes

Although the list might not be appropriate when filtered to remove too many inside jokes, it's short & sweet! 

“Your outfits would look a lot cuter if the USA won.” -Anna, to every girl 

“I just hate 100 Happy Days because it encourages people to post very poor quality Instagram photos.” -Kerry

“Like I said to Papou, I’m so tired I don’t want to cook anymore. I want to go out.” -Yiayia Nikie, having her way! 

“I think we’ve established that no one obeys the rules here. Dogs, beer, kids throwing sand on you.” -Gwen, at North Avenue Beach

“He hasn't even posted a photo of me on Instagram. Pictures of food I’ve made him but no photos together.” 

“Every text she sends has an emoji at the end of it. How was your day bow tie? Love you honey, palm tree.” -Stacey & Jackie, on their grandparents texting 

“Our church had a wedding with 18 bridesmaids last night.” -Yiayia Sophie

"Who?"

“I don't know, someone told me about it.” -Yiayia Sophie 

“Don’t put our engagement photos on Facebook.” -Lee

“Well other people infiltrate my news feed with their babies so they can look at our engagement photos.” -Lauren

“How do you live in the city and not have Uber?” -Hannah

 “You spill on my floor and I’ll make you sleep on the patio.” -Hannah

"That was my favorite night of the line." -Kalyn

"Love, happiness, communication and lots and lots of babies. -DJ at Liz & Tasso’s wedding, in the speech he didn't have to give 

“You've been bumped up to the business class on our prayer list.” -A koumbaro at a wedding

“I rummaged through the cabinets to think ‘What should I bring Katie?’ and the only good thing was hummus that was 1/3 left, although I knew you’d still eat it.” -Eleni

“Dad, all the nice guys are players because they can be.” -Eleni

“Beer cans would have been a picnic compared to what I saw. I’d walk out to people peeing on my lawn.” -Woman on the L, on her Wrigleyville days

“Does anyone have anyone have anything against Pink Floyd?” -Joe

“Can you put something less stoner-ish on?” -Ariel

"Camp counselor problems: I’ve had 10 fudgsicles this week." -Eleni

“I know you have your Sunday night call list.” -Sherman, in a voicemail

“I had to beg this guy for tzatziki. You’d think I was asking him for his house.” -John 

"We went to the Museum of Natural History. The suggested donation was $22 a person so we each gave $5." -Sherman

"He doesn't have a wife but he very well could. Travels all week, has two phones..." -Hannah

Tracking a package in one click

I don't know if this is Gmail, Target or the US Postal Service's creation, but it's a brilliant invention. Kudos to tracking your mail without having to enter millions of codes!

Time to pause

One of the biggest complaints in modern society is being overscheduled, overcommitted and overextended. Ask people at a social gathering how they are and the stock answer is "super busy," "crazy busy" or "insanely busy." Nobody is just "fine" anymore. 

In a recent New York Times news analysis, No Time to Think, Kate Murphy comments on our lack of free moments to stop and think. She states that even when we do have a second that is not programmed, we revert to our phones to check social media & other ongoings.

The competitive aspect of it reminded me of another good article I read recently in Harvard Business Review, Why We Humblebrag About Being Busy. We're all guilty of it; I admit to regularly using "busy" as a way to describe my week. But sometimes it takes seeing others do this, especially at work, to comprehend how it comes off.

The best way I recharge in the middle of the day is taking five minutes to look away from my phone & inbox prioritize my to do list. There is nothing more valuable in the middle of a stressful day than a walk around the block. At Project Mexico, 20 minutes of quiet time kicked off the morning to make every day a peaceful day.

The power of pause is real and more relevant than ever!